So, looking to homebrew Polymorph/Shapechange for my Necromancer. Essentially, Polymorph would only be allowed to transform myself or others into undead, and instead of the CR being equal to or lower than the creature's CR/level, making it 2/3 the CR/level, rounded down, instead. So a level 7 would be able to turn himself and others into a CR4 or lower undead, CR6 at level 10 and CR12 at level 19. CR12 because there's no good vanilla CR13 undead but I could always make one, but CR13 would be the max at level 20. I would disallow the use of the Spellcasting trait and Legendary/Lair actions like Shapechange.
Undead Shapechange would only allow me to turn into Undead, instead of any creature type besides undead and constructs. I'm going to spend downtime studying undead creatures in a big city library/university to get around having to see these creatures first. Otherwise it functions normally allowing me to turn into mainly the Death Knight at level 17, and the Nightwalker at level 20.
Oh and those are the other restrictions for both spells. Only humanoid shaped, unnamed non-specific, undead. Greater Zombie, Ghost, Bodak, Giant Skeleton, Wraith, and a Gloamwing-less Nightveil Specter to name some examples. If it's a specific named undead, or like a tiny flameskull or demi-lich, those are a no-go. Oh and no vampires, just cuz that would mess with the flavor. But it did make me think how it'd be cool to do this character but with a Vampire PC and vampire creatures to lead.
Let me know if you see anything game breaking in this, otherwise I'm just sharing more coolness! These changes I've been posting about this homebrew necromancer just make me so excited!
EDIT: And continuing this logic, if I take Mass Polymorph, I'd reduce it from 1/2 the player's level in CR to 1/3 rounded down, and I'd only be able to make undead. True Polymorph would be undead only and 2/3 the level in CR, but the checks for being friendly with a permanent undead would be really high or just impossible depending on it's description. For most undead I'd say that's a no-go.
So, looking to homebrew Polymorph/Shapechange for my Necromancer. Essentially, Polymorph would only be allowed to transform myself or others into undead, and instead of the CR being equal to or lower than the creature's CR/level, making it 2/3 the CR/level, rounded down, instead. So a level 7 would be able to turn himself and others into a CR4 or lower undead, CR6 at level 10 and CR12 at level 19. CR12 because there's no good vanilla CR13 undead but I could always make one, but CR13 would be the max at level 20. I would disallow the use of the Spellcasting trait and Legendary/Lair actions like Shapechange.
Undead Shapechange would only allow me to turn into Undead, instead of any creature type besides undead and constructs. I'm going to spend downtime studying undead creatures in a big city library/university to get around having to see these creatures first. Otherwise it functions normally allowing me to turn into mainly the Death Knight at level 17, and the Nightwalker at level 20.
Oh and those are the other restrictions for both spells. Only humanoid shaped, unnamed non-specific, undead. Greater Zombie, Ghost, Bodak, Giant Skeleton, Wraith, and a Gloamwing-less Nightveil Specter to name some examples. If it's a specific named undead, or like a tiny flameskull or demi-lich, those are a no-go. Oh and no vampires, just cuz that would mess with the flavor. But it did make me think how it'd be cool to do this character but with a Vampire PC and vampire creatures to lead.
Let me know if you see anything game breaking in this, otherwise I'm just sharing more coolness! These changes I've been posting about this homebrew necromancer just make me so excited!
EDIT: And continuing this logic, if I take Mass Polymorph, I'd reduce it from 1/2 the player's level in CR to 1/3 rounded down, and I'd only be able to make undead. True Polymorph would be undead only and 2/3 the level in CR, but the checks for being friendly with a permanent undead would be really high or just impossible depending on it's description. For most undead I'd say that's a no-go.